TruTV Topper Marc Juris To Depart

EXCLUSIVE: Marc Juris, who has led Turner Broadcasting’s TruTV as EVP and COO, is leaving. The exact timing of his departure is unclear; his current contract is up at the end of the year. Turner Entertainment Networks president Steve Koonin just announced Juris’ exit in a company memo (below). Juris joined TruTV in 2004, when it was known as Court TV. He was promoted to EVP and General Manager in 2007 and led the network’s transformation into TruTV. He was upped to COO in 2011. TruTV recently hit a ratings record as the network’s flagship series, Hardcore Pawn, drew 1.6 million adults 18-49 in its seventh season premiere in March, truTV’s biggest delivery ever in the key demo. Hardcore Pawn also scored truTV’s biggest season opener ever, drawing 3.2 million total viewers. But for the most recent month of April, truTV averaged 874,000 viewers, down 8% from last year. In 18-49, it posted 405,000, down 18%. The network also has faced accusations that many of its unscripted shows are staged/scripted.

Today the company is announcing the departure of our colleague Marc Juris. As executive vice president and chief operating officer of truTV, Marc has provided valuable leadership, especially through the network’s rebranding and subsequent audience growth.

I have already begun the process of evaluating truTV’s current and future leadership needs so that we can choose the right executive to lead the network.

We are extremely grateful to Marc for his many contributions to our business, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.